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Difficult clients often appear at the onset of a project as being generally agreeable and pleasant to work with. If they didn't, chances are you wouldn't take on the job in the first place.
The difficult aspect of a client usually emerges shortly after the project starts, however, and depending on how large the job is and how long it will take, your actions and reactions will make or break the successful completion. And as a small business, the last thing you want to do is to put in precious time and effort on a job only to have to walk away from it.
Communication is always the primary method to resolve issues with clients. No matter if the situation is good, bad, or steady as she goes, maintaining open lines of communication is key. Timely responses to emails, phone calls, and instant messages are always expected, as the client is expecting adequate updates on their project. One type of difficult client is the one that will expect an almost constant stream of contact with them, basically wanting an update each time even the most minute task is completed. Smooth these difficult clients over early by setting established times for communication, such as an email update daily.
Deadlines are crucial to meet for a successful working relationship with your clients and so must be met to assure that you stay on the project and to protect your reputation as a freelancer. Some difficult clients will constantly make changes that will threaten your established deadlines and even incur more hours of work, which you should be compensated for. Again, communication is crucial here. Make sure that the client realizes that changes take time and that increased time may extend the length of the project beyond the originally quoted deadline. Additionally, be sure to remind the client that you cannot avoid asking them for additionally compensation, as you have to budget your time around other clients as well as them when you made the original estimate for the project. Doing this tactfully should alleviate any stressful situations.
Dealing with difficult clients doesn't have to be a nightmare. In fact, the most successful businesses are the ones that not only deal with difficult clients, but often pick them out because the end result is often worth it. Of course, this is not always the case, but it does prove that you don't need to select your client base on the fear of them turning against you. The sooner you learn to handle the quirks of your difficult clients the more your freelancing career will flourish.
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